Reading the Gazette recently, many residents must be asking what is happening at South Hams District Council this summer.

First we have plans to set up an £80m property investment portfolio as a means of generating income.

The council has been talking about income generation for at least three or four years now, and this seems to be emerging as the latest scheme, despite its high risk and the possible drastic consequences of failure.

Has the council got the expertise to set up and manage this, given that it is a local government body, not an investment trust? Much as I like John Tucker, the council leader, I am sure he will admit that he is no Alan Sugar or Richard Branson.

Then we have the scheme to merge with West Devon Borough Council.

This was referred to in the Gazette a week or two ago by one of the Ivybridge councillors.

But if I am honest, I did not get the impression that the councillor concerned was wholeheartedly in favour of it, the justification seeming to be reported financial problems at West Devon and the possible forced merger of the two ­councils by the Government in the longer term.

The consequences of a ­merger, as far as I can see, will be that, as well as a likely reduction in local representation from a council stretching from Salcombe to Okehampton and elsewhere, will be a significant increase in local council tax for us.

In addition, although it might have been argued that reserves money in SHDC should have been used to either support services or keep ­council tax down, there is a substantial reserve, which we have paid for, that will become available to West Devon.

It is all very well for our South Hams councillors to want to help out a neighbouring council, but they must be aware that such reserves will have come from South Hams council tax payers. If the Government does force a ­merger at some stage, then surely the councillors will have to deal with the consequences and any criticism.

I note that the planned ­merger is to go out to public consultation. Why can’t SHDC take a leaf out of David Cameron’s book and hold a ­referendum on it? Mind you, maybe it is afraid that, as in Mr Cameron’s case, the result may not be the one it wants.

Tony Barber

Exeter Road

Ivybridge